Mark James Wright

At Southampton Crown Court, Mark James Wright, a 53-year-old resident of Mitre Copse in Bishopstoke, was sentenced to two years in prison for historical child sex offences. Wright had pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14. The assaults took place between 1984 and 1991 at an address in the Bishopstoke area, near Eastleigh in Hampshire.

The case came to light after the victim bravely reported the incidents to the police, despite the significant time that had passed since the offences occurred. This led to a thorough investigation by Hampshire Constabulary, supported by specialist officers, which gathered key evidence for the prosecution. Wright appeared in court on Monday and received his sentence, marking the culmination of the legal process.

Detective Constable Hayley Channell of Hampshire Constabulary commented on the sentencing, stating: “We appreciate that today’s sentencing won’t take away the fact that Wright committed these offences against his victim while they were much younger than him, but we do hope that this brings some form of closure.” She praised the victim's courage in coming forward and emphasised the force's commitment to pursuing justice in such cases, regardless of how long ago the crimes happened.

The offences were classified as non-recent child sex offences, highlighting the challenges in prosecuting historical abuse. The court's decision to impose a custodial sentence of two years reflects the severity of the crimes committed against a vulnerable child. This case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.